go-devil

American  

[goh-dev-uhl] / ˈgoʊˌdɛv əl /

noun

1. a flexible, jointed apparatus forced through a pipeline to free it from obstructions.

2. a dart dropped into a well, especially an oil well, to explode a charge of dynamite or nitroglycerin previously placed in a desired position.

3. Railroads. a handcar.

4. a sled used to drag or carry logs, stone, etc.

5. Also called sled cultivator.  a cultivator that rides on wooden runners and is used on listed furrows.

6. Western U.S. any exceptionally fast or effective machine or appliance.

   That food processor is a real go-devil.

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Etymology

Origin of go-devil

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35

Example Sentences

Painted and caparisoned in madcap masquerade, they leap down from their green go-devil and race through startled crowds like advance men for oncoming chaos.

From Time Magazine Archive

“Well, this is running your westing down if anybody should ride up in a go-devil and ask you.”

From The Mutiny of the Elsinore by London, Jack

Returning at bed time he found his partner webbing a pair of snow-shoes by the light of a stinking "go-devil," consisting of a string suspended in a can of molten grease.

From Pardners by Beach, Rex Ellingwood

"That's the go-devil," replied Bob; and then, as he saw that Ralph did not understand, he added: "It is to drop through the hole to explode the cartridges after they are placed in position."

From Ralph Gurney's Oil Speculation by Otis, James

In the morning he was hauled out of the trap and bound down on a rough skeleton sled made from a forked limb, very much like the contrivance called by lumbermen a "go-devil."

From Bears I Have Met—and Others by Kelly, Allen